MIDDLEFIELD, OHIO Middlefield Banc Corp. (Pink Sheets: MBCN), parent of The Middlefield Banking Company and Emerald Bank, today announced the following results for the period ended December 31, 2009.

Total assets increased $90.8 million, or 19.4%, from December 31, 2008

Net interest income in a year-to-year comparison grew $2.3 million or 19.1%

Total deposits stood at $487.1 million, an increase of 23.4% from year-end 2008

Net loans grew $30.6 million during the year, ending up 9.6%

Diluted earnings per common share for the year were $1.15.

The company reported that earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, were $504,000 compared to earnings of $390,000 for the same period in the prior year. During the 2009 period, net interest income increased $898,000. This was offset by a $332,000 higher provision for loan losses, and an increase in other total non-interest expense of $774,000. Non-interest income during the fourth quarter of 2009 was $447,000 above that reported in the same period of 2008, during which an other-than-temporary impairment on securities of $379,000 was recorded.

For the year, net income was $1,781,000, which was below the $2,615,000 reported for 2008. An increase in net interest margin of $2,288,000 over 2008, was offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses of $1,735,000 and an increase in total non-interest expense of $2,289,000.

Annualized returns on average equity ("ROE") and average assets ("ROA") for the quarter were 5.42% and 0.37%, respectively, compared with 5.02% and 0.34% for the fourth quarter of 2008. ROE and ROA were 4.90% and 0.36%, respectively, for the twelve-month period of 2009. Comparable results for the 2008 twelve-month period were 7.91% and 0.58%, respectively.

"We are pleased to report positive earnings for the quarter and full year periods," stated Thomas G. Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer, "We have seen continued improvement in our net interest margin. However, our focus remains keen on successfully resolving our asset quality issues. Throughout the credit crisis, we have continued to maintain a well capitalized status. Retaining the financial strength of our company is a fundamental key to our future."

"As we reported earlier, the credit quality issues at Emerald Bank, as well as prudent management, led us to greatly increase our allowance for loan losses during 2009. We have also moved a good portion of Emerald Bank's nonperforming assets into a new credit resolution subsidiary of Middlefield Banc Corp. These actions are permitting the new management team at Emerald Bank to maximize their effort to drive growth and profitability with that affiliate. Meanwhile, our Middlefield affiliate has experienced one of the most profitable performances in the bank's 108 year history."

Asset Quality

The provision for loan losses for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 increased 132% and 285% to $583,000 and $2,343,000 compared to the $251,000 and $608,000, respectively, for the comparable periods of 2008. "The performance of our company is tied to the economy of the State of Ohio. Our asset quality numbers reflect the continued environment of sustained economic weakness, including continued high unemployment, increased levels of under-employment, and lower real estate values," said Donald L. Stacy, Chief Financial Officer of Middlefield Banc Corp. "In our northeastern Ohio markets, credit issues are tied to owner occupied residential properties. In contrast, our central Ohio market is reporting delinquencies tied to non-owner occupied residential properties."

Stacy continued, "We believe that it is prudent, in light of these on-going economic issues and heightened regulatory scrutiny, to operate with higher levels of general loan loss reserves. During 2010, we will continue to provide a higher than historic level of provision to address credit quality issues."

The following table summarizes asset quality and reserve coverage ratios as of the end of the last five quarters.

Asset Quality History

(dollars in thousands)

12/31/2009

9/30/2009

6/30/2009

3/31/2009

12/31/2008

Nonperforming loans

$

16,285

$

14,368

$

14,023

$

13,370

$

8,481

Real estate owned

2,164

1,775

1,967

1,331

1,106

Nonperforming assets

$

18,449

$

16,143

$

15,991

$

14,701

$

9,587

Allowance for loan losses

$

4,937

$

4,422

$

3,668

$

3,621

$

3,557

Ratios:

Nonperforming loans to total loans

4.61%

4.15%

4.18%

4.16%

2.64%

Nonperforming assets to total

Nonperforming assets to total assets

3.30%

3.12%

3.33%

3.14%

2.11%

Allowance for loan losses to total loans

1.40%

1.28%

1.09%

1.13%

1.11%

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

30.31%

30.78%

26.16%

27.08%

41.94%

The increased loan loss provision, which has significantly outpaced loan charge-offs, has substantially strengthened the allowance for loan losses. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans increased to 1.40% of total loans at December 31, 2009 compared to the 1.28% reported at September 30, 2009 and 1.11% at December 31, 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the company created a new entity, EMORECO, Inc., which is designed to aid in troubled asset resolution. During November 2009, EMORECO purchased $4.2 million of non-performing assets from Emerald Bank.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased $898,000, or 30.0%, to $3,897,000 compared to $2,999,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008. The net interest margin increased 29 basis points to 3.28% compared to the 2.99% reported for the year-ago quarter. Net interest income for the year 2009 increased by $2,288,000, or 19.1%, to $14.268,000 compared to the $11,980,000 for the full year of 2008. The net interest margin for 2009 stood at 3.30%, a 24 basis point increase from the 3.06% reported for 2008.

The improvement in net interest income reflects strong core deposit growth and the implementation of new pricing strategies. Total deposits at December 31, 2009 stood at $487.1 million, representing an increase of 23.4% from the year-end 2008 figure. Savings account deposits accounted for growth of $38.4 million, with Money Market deposits more than doubled to $56.5 million.

Non-Interest Income and Operating Expenses

Non-interest income was up for both the three and twelve month periods. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $40,500 for the three months of 2009 compared to 2008, and $17,000 for the twelve-month period. Earnings on bank-owned life insurance were lower, reflective of the current interest rate environment. During 2008, the company recognized a charge for other-than-temporary impairment on securities of $376,000. A similar charge, in the amount of $88,000, was recognized in 2009.

Operating expenses increased by 27.9%, or $774,000 for the quarter and $2,289,000, or 21.6% for 2009 over comparable periods of 2008. Expense increases in salaries and employee benefits, occupancy expense, and data processing costs are all directly related to the growth of the company. The Middlefield Banking Company opened its Cortland office in June 2008, while Emerald Bank acquired an office in Westerville in November 2008. Both of these actions, while expanding the company's footprint, contributed to the higher expense levels. The premium for FDIC insurance increased 290% in the fourth quarter of 2009 over the same period of 2008 and 277% for the twelve-month period of 2009 over 2008. Loss on other real estate of $432,000 contributed to the $591,000 increase in other operating expenses for the year.

Balance Sheet Growth

The company's total assets ended 2009 at $558.7 million, an increase of 19.4% over the $467.8 million in total assets reported at December 31, 2008. Net loans at December 31, 2009, were $348.7 million, up $30.6 million, or 9.6%, over the $318.0 million reported at December 31, 2008. Total deposits at year-end 2009, were $487.1 million, or 23.4% greater than the deposit level of $394.8 million at December 31, 2008.

The investment portfolio, which is entirely classified as available for sale, stood at $136.7 million at December 31, 2009. This figure represented growth within that portfolio of $32.4 million during the year. Stockholders' equity at December 31 2009 was $36.7 million, or 6.57% of total assets. Book value per share as of December 31, 2009 was $23.46.

Dividends

During 2009, Middlefield paid cash dividends of $1.04 per share. This represents only a slight increase over the $1.03 per share paid during 2008.

Middlefield Banc Corp. headquartered in Middlefield, Ohio is a multi-bank holding company with total assets of $558.7 million. The company's lead bank, The Middlefield Banking Company, operates full service banking centers and a LPL Financial' brokerage office serving Chardon, Cortland, Garrettsville, Mantua, Middlefield, Newbury, and Orwell. The company also serves the central Ohio market through its Emerald Bank subsidiary, with offices in Dublin and Westerville, Ohio. Additional information is available at www.middlefieldbank.bank and www.emeraldbank.com

This press release of Middlefield Banc Corp. and the reports Middlefield Banc Corp. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain "forward-looking statements" relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the banking industry and, specifically, the financial operations, markets and products of Middlefield Banc Corp. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause Middlefield Banc Corp.'s future results to differ materially from historical performance or projected performance. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant increase in competitive pressures among financial institutions; (2) changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce interest margins; (3) changes in prepayment speeds, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (4) less favorable than expected general economic conditions; (5) legislative or regulatory changes that may adversely affect businesses in which Middlefield Banc Corp. is engaged; (6) technological issues which may adversely affect Middlefield Banc Corp.'s financial operations or customers; (7) changes in the securities markets; or (8) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements Middlefield Banc Corp. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Middlefield Banc Corp. undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

MIDDLEFIELD BANC CORP.

Consolidated Selected Financial Highlights

December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

(unaudited)

Balance Sheet as of

December 31,

December 31,

2009

2008

Assets

Cash and due from banks

$

12,908,859

$

9,795,248

Federal funds sold

28,122,892

7,548,000

Interest-bearing deposits in other institutions

120,885

112,215

Cash and cash equivalents

41,152,636

17,455,463

Investment securities available for sale

136,711,100

104,270,366

Loans:

353,596,712

321,575,293

Less: allowance for loan losses

4,936,575

3,556,763

Net loans

348,660,137

318,018,530

Premises and equipment

8,394,369

8,448,915

Goodwill

4,558,687

4,558,687

Bank-owned life insurance

7,706,476

7,440,687

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

11,474,364

7,654,287

Total Assets

$

558,657,769

467,846,935

December 31,

December 31,

2009

2008

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

$

44,386,654

$

42,357,154

Interest bearing demand deposits

38,111,042

26,404,660

Money market accounts

56,451,504

27,845,438

Savings deposits

107,358,352

68,968,844

Time deposits

240,798,732

229,243,506

Total Deposits

487,106,284

394,819,602

Short-term borrowings

1,099,555

1,886,253

Other borrowings

31,564,508

33,903,019

Other liabilities

2,180,150

2,178,813

Total Liabilities

521,950,498

432,787,687

Common equity

27,919,228

27,301,403

Retained earnings

14,959,428

14,786,353

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

562,222

(294,901)

Treasury stock

(6,733,607)

(6,733,607)

Total Stockholders' Equity

36,707,271

35,059,248

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

558,657,769

$

467,846,935

MIDDLEFIELD BANC CORP.

Consolidated Selected Financial Highlights

December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Income Statement

For the Three Months Ended

For the Year Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2009

2008

2009

2008

INTEREST INCOME

Interest and fees on loans

$

5,191,325

$

5,152,742

$

20,270,987

$

21,426,372

Interest-bearing deposits in other institutions

2,761

1,678

14,561

12,468

Federal funds sold

9,580

10,637

20,557

135,104

Investment securities

Taxable interest

1,041,252

744,592

3,794,149

2,538,237

Tax-exempt interest

506,905

450,093

1,881,752

1,810,319

Dividends on FHLB Stock

21,964

26,786

68,575

115,313

Total interest income

6,773,787

6,386,528

26,050,581

26,037,812

INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposits

2,520,035

2,970,545

10,296,404

12,352,211

Short term borrowings

5,440

11,291

20,601

46,084

Other borrowings

216,396

271,491

932,109

1,120,491

Trust preferred securities

134,524

134,298

533,711

539,298

Total interest expense

2,876,395

3,387,625

11,782,825

14,058,084

NET INTEREST INCOME

3,897,392

2,998,903

14,267,756

11,979,728

Provision for loan losses

583,000

251,000

2,343,000

608,000

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION

FOR LOAN LOSSES

3,314,392

2,747,903

11,924,756

11,371,728

NONINTEREST INCOME

Service charges on deposits

510,818

470,270

1,905,130

1,888,059

Net securities gains (losses)

(14,323)

(378,557)

(14,323)

(344,049)

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

68,744

69,507

265,788

287,305

Other income

152,910

110,371

511,685

395,191

Total non-interest income

718,149

271,591

2,668,280

2,226,506

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits

1,634,267

1,268,472

5,938,239

4,911,671

Occupancy expense

236,887

242,020

928,425

885,904

Equipment expense

83,700

103,270

508,875

539,040

Data processing costs

224,628

212,132

916,990

803,230

Ohio state franchise tax

123,300

117,000

493,200

468,000

FDIC assessment

178,060

45,692

707,328

187,866

Other operating expense

1,065,046

783,229

3,391,567

2,800,642

Total non-interest expense

3,545,888

2,771,815

12,884,624

10,596,352

Income before income taxes

486,653

247,679

1,708,412

3,001,882

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(17,000)

(142,727)

(72,574)

387,003

NET INCOME

$

503,653

$

390,406

$

1,780,986

$

2,614,879

Per common share data

Net income per common share - basic

$

0.32

$

0.26

$

1.15

$

1.72

Net income per common share - diluted

$

0.32

$

0.25

$

1.15

$

1.69

Dividends declared

$

0.26

$

0.26

$

1.04

$

1.03

Book value per share(period end)

$

23.46

$

22.83

$

23.46

$

22.83

Tangible book value per share (period end)

$

20.55

$

18.97

$

20.55

$

18.97

Dividend payout ratio

80.40%

102.04%

90.28%

60.25%

Average shares outstanding - basic

1,558,132

1,530,686

1,547,239

1,532,973

Average shares outstanding -diluted

1,558,132

1,533,292

1,547,979

1,546,413

Period ending shares outstanding

1,564,582

1,535,851

1,564,582

1,535,851

Selected ratios

Return on average assets

0.37%

0.34%

0.36%

0.58%

Return on average equity

5.42%

5.02%

4.90%

7.91%

Yield on earning assets

5.56%

6.12%

5.85%

6.40%

Cost of interest bearing liabilities

2.50%

3.52%

2.84%

3.77%

Net interest spread

3.06%

2.60%

3.01%

2.63%

Net interest margin

3.28%

2.99%

3.30%

3.06%

Efficiency (1)

72.71%

80.96%

71.96%

71.50%

Equity to assets at period end

6.57%

7.49%

6.57%

7.49%

(1) The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing non-interest expense less amortization of intangibles by the sum of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis plus non-interest income.